The Color Purple” is playing in theaters now; it opened on Christmas Day. Boating an all-star cast, Fantasia reprises her Broadway theater role as Celie, with Halle Bailey of this year’s (The Little Mermaid), Taraji P. Henson, Danielle Brooks, and Colman Domingo. The movie is based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning book of the same name by Alice Walker, which sold five million copies in 1983. It’s a coming-of-age story that’s also based on the Broadway musical. Blitz Bazawule directs with Oprah Winfrey and Stephen Spielberg are producers.
In speaking with members of the cast two weeks ago, during the Critics Choice Black, Latino, AAPI Celebration of Cinema and Television awards, they told me that Oprah Winfrey said to make their role their own version and not to worry about the 1985 film, of which she was nominated for an Academy Award. The story follows Celie as she navigates the 1900s and the mistreatment and discrimination of African Americans in the South.
In comparing the new version to the 1985 film and the musical, the song “She Be Mine” is a winner. Award-winning musician Jon Batiste also appears in the film as Shug Avery’s husband, Grady. Whoopi Goldberg, star of the 1985 film, also briefly appears in this one as a midwife. Taraji P. Henson always wows with her singing in the movie, playing the part of singer Shug Avery.
The film’s main character, the long-suffering” Celie is abused for years by her stepfather, Alfonso (Deon Cole of “The Harder They Fall”), and by her husband, Albert ‘Mister’ Johnson (Colman Domingo of “Rustin”), endures, retains her humanity and rises above the horrific treatment. When she frees herself from her abusers, Shug helps her to become the woman she’s meant to be. Sisterhood is a force of nature here.
The overwhelming amount of singing and dancing in this movie is fantastic; at times, I found myself toe-tapping and humming along. The music is great, and the cast is phenomenal. I truly enjoyed the movie; it’s in my top 10 Best this year.
The Bottom Line, “The Color Purple,” is a beautiful story of sisterhood and how those bonds help you discover your true self and reach your potential.
Sarah Knight Adamson Dec. 30, 2023